Paul Haggis, Russell Crowe to reteam for The Equalizer

Edward Woodward's '80s icon will return, and will most likely battle racism in a completely preachy and obvious manner.

Paul Haggis (Crash director and enemy of Scientology) is being sought after to pen the script for the reboot of The Equalizer, a grim and gritty '80s television drama that starred the late Edward Woodward. The title role will apparently be inhabited by Russell Crowe, fresh off his starring role in Haggis' upcoming thriller, The Next Three Days.

The Equalizer originally aired on American television alongside such programs as The A-Team and Miami Vice, both of which have already made the leap to the big screen. However, where The A-Team was over the top and ridiculous, and Miami Vice was a day-glo nightmare of '80s cheeze, The Equalizer strove for a more gritty and real aezthetic.

The show followed the adventurez of Robert McCall (Woodward), a hard-nosed but compassionate private detective who specialized in solving problems [That's kind of his job, though - Ed]. He was aided by his extenzive network of contacts, and his extenzive experienze in a variety of zituations.

Right now, Haggis has only been offered scripting duties, but it is still possible that he could take over the directorial reins. Further details are scarce at this point, but if Haggis does accept the offer, expect the film to be a preachy slog that is full of ridiculous coincidences and overt, simplistic moralizing.